Vincent Ball

Artistic background

I have been painting and selling my art since the age of twelve and creativity is in my bones.

I graduated from Loughton College in 1983 where I obtained a Certificate of Graphic Design and A Level.

I was encouraged to go to university by the principle, but my dad wanted me to “go out there and get a job” and that was the end of that. But in his defence, we were a poor family.

I have been in and out of work all my adult life due to having Bipolar I’m afraid but have always painted and designed at all times.

After leaving college I entered the sign trade as a sign draughtsman for six years and have an extensive knowledge of all kinds of signs. I have drawn signs for BT, Disneyland Paris, P & O Ferries and even the QE2 (which was featured on television) to name a few.

I had six years out of work due to Bipolar and became a “Born again Christian” as a result' but I kept painting and designing on a charitable basis for my church.

In the early 2000's I learned the relevant digital software to enable me to enter the digital world as an artist and designer.

A lady at my church encouraged me to go self-employed using my skills as an artist and designer so I did.

After a couple of years, I became ill again and returned to work another 3 years after that and continued to work up until 2019 Then I became an official carer for my mother. I have still been painting, drawing, and designing therapeutically until this day.

I am now working again from September of this year (2024).

I do not have a degree in art, nor have I exhibited professionally but I do know how to make a great mark on a surface and here are some of my unofficial accolades to mention…

I won an art competition in my class at the age of seven.
I won an art competition at Butlins at the age of eight.
I was Selling my artwork whilst being a child.
I came top of the year in art for my mocks at school.
I was considered "head and shoulders above the rest of my fellow students" by my friends.
I was given the nickname Van Gogh at college and not because of my name.
I had my oil painting of Gary Numan which I painted for a friend signed by him when I was sixteen.
I had the college lecturer of my art class gather the whole class around my board and explain “This is the way to do it”.
My artwork represented Acava art studios in Harlow in 2016 in the Essex Summer of Art brochure.
I was approached by ITV3 a few years ago because of my website and they proposed that I show my work on the up and coming “Baby Diaries” if any of you know it. I backed out because of my mental health at the time.
I have had a mural I painted on a pub fireplace in 1993 still exist through several changes of ownership. They have all retained it. Even now it's a restaurant and completely different in terms of decor apart from my mural.
This year (2024) I came first in the painting and drawing category of the Waltham Abbey Art Trail with my Piece Self-portrait at home.

There you have it. I will continue to make art and in doing it I aim to please.

Thanks for reading.

Bless you,

Vincent.